This addiction is more dangerous than alcohol or tobacco, new study warns of a silent trap

A new study published in the journal Addiction has uncovered a sobering reality: older Americans are now more likely to be addicted to ultra-processed foods (UPFs) than to alcohol or tobacco. These foods—loaded with refined carbohydrates, added fats, and artificial flavorings—are designed to light up the brain’s reward system while offering little nutritional value.

The research, conducted by the University of Michigan and the University of Utah, surveyed over 2,000 adults aged 50 to 80. It found that around 12% met the criteria for addiction to ultra-processed foods, a figure significantly higher than addiction rates for alcohol (1.5%) or tobacco (4%) in the same age group.

Women Hit Harder
The findings paint an even grimmer picture for women. Nearly one in four women aged 50 to 64 were identified as having signs of UPF addiction, compared to 12% of those aged 65 to 80. Overall, 17% of women in the study met the criteria for addiction—more than double the rate among men (7.5%).

The report notes that women in this group often grew up during the era when “diet” snacks and low-fat packaged foods flooded supermarket shelves. “This generation was exposed to aggressive marketing that portrayed ultra-processed foods as convenient, healthy alternatives,” the authors explained in the Addiction report.

Addiction That Looks Like Hunger
Unlike traditional substance dependence, food addiction can masquerade as appetite. The study suggests that UPFs may trigger brain responses similar to those caused by nicotine or alcohol, leading to compulsive cravings, withdrawal-like symptoms, and loss of control over consumption.

“These foods are engineered to be rewarding in ways that can hijack our natural appetite regulation,” the researchers noted. The result: a cycle of overeating that undermines both physical and mental health.

The Hidden Cost of Convenience
Participants who showed signs of UPF addiction also reported poorer overall health, higher stress levels, and lower social well-being. Among women, the addiction was more common in those with an annual income below $30,000, hinting at deeper socioeconomic ties.

Researchers warn that this is not just a dietary concern but a public health issue. “The patterns we’re seeing mirror other forms of addiction,” the report stated, calling for more awareness, clinical attention, and preventive strategies.

For many older adults the comfort foods that once symbolized convenience have become a silent addiction. What was once marketed as “better-for-you” may now be contributing to a public health crisis that rivals the dangers of alcohol and tobacco use.

The findings underscore a haunting paradox: the very foods that filled lunchboxes and dinner tables for decades are now shaping an addiction few saw coming—and one far more insidious than many realize.